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By HARRY CLARKE | COMMENT
NEXT FRIDAY nominations will close for a unique and prestigious journalism award presented by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAG), the peak body representing local councils across our state.
Now in its eleventh year, the LGAQ Journalism Award is given to regional journalists who demonstrate excellence in their craft through rigorous reporting and analysis of government and business decisions affecting Queensland communities.
Entry is free and the prize for the winner is some $15,000 in cash, making it one of the most lucrative awards in Australian journalism.
Incidentally, the award in 2021 was given to myself, having nominated a variety of five stories published via the Country Caller over the previous year.
Other past winners of the award include some great colleagues of mine, Queensland Country Life journalist Sally Gall and The North West Star editor Derek Barry.
Needless to say the incredibly generous prize was greatly appreciated, and it’s been a huge help in continuing my mission of providing high quality news and analysis for regional Queenslanders.
But not only has the monetary injection been of great benefit, winning the award has also introduced me to many of the wonderful folks who make up Queensland’s local government industry.
Travelling to Mackay in October last year to receive the award at the LGAQ Annual Conference was a terrific networking opportunity that’s served me well ever since.
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The LGAQ comprises a great team of people who advocate on behalf of councils.
They open channels of communication between councils so that they can better share ideas and knowledge of how service delivery can be improved for local communities far and wide.
The fact that the LGAQ allocates $15,000 of its budget each year to invest in regional and rural news demonstrates the organisation’s understanding that it’s absolutely crucial quality journalism functions outside our metropolitan areas.
The LGAQ Journalism Award is officially titled the Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award, named in honour of ABC news cameraman John Bean, reporter Paul Lockyer and pilot Gary Ticehurst, who were tragically killed in a helicopter crash while filming at Lake Eyre in August 2011.
LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said the three were a pioneering storytelling team, popular and respected throughout the regional communities where they did their best work.
“Their tragic deaths sparked dismay in regional leaders who understood the huge contribution they made to ensuring regional Queensland was given a voice, locally and in the offices of decision-makers in the city,” Ms Smith said.
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“The LGAQ commemorates John, Paul and Gary with this annual award, and to encourage journalists to adopt the doggedness and professionalism for which they were renowned.”
The award is open to print, television/video, online and radio, with judging criteria including newsworthiness, incisiveness, public benefit, and impact on the understanding of the issues and challenges facing regional Queensland.
Entries close next Friday, September 16, and the winner will be announced at the LGAQ’s Annual Conference in Cairns in October.
I encourage all journalists battling in the bush to have belief in their work, and to put forward a nomination of their own. CLICK HERE for more information.